so I’m a nurse and today was my 5th day on a row and I don’t understand why my legs hurt. I didn’t work harder today than other days, nor did I have to work with fat patients. I just had to walk a lot, but not much more than other days.
On my free time I like jogging and doing yoga, and right after I feel how my legs are looser and more relaxed. I however cannot go jogging every day. Today was my second day on a row not jogging.
Can this be the reason I’m in pain?
If running before my shifts actually helps me not to have pain after my shifts, how can that be? I’m basically using the same muscles.
I’m not a physician or physical therapist, but have been an amateur athlete in a variety of individual sports and have done some coaching of youth sports. All of this advice is based off of personal experience and observing what has worked for others. Every body and mind is different, and ultimately whatever feels physically and mentally best for you is what you should go with.
That said, I’ve had service jobs where I’ve had to move around quickly and lift moderate to somewhat heavy things. I’ve also worked jobs where I’m standing in more or less one position the entire 8 hour shift. I’m currently working a job where I sit all day in front of a computer. The all around fitness routine that has worked for me in each of these has ended up being hatha yoga. It’s become for me a maintenance routine, and so that’s what I recommend. If that’s not for you, then perhaps some light spinning on an indoor bicycle would help with circulation.
Good luck and I’ll just say its good that you’re thinking about this, your elderly self will likely thank you for the maintenance later on.